Chapter 6 The Blue Lotus
Neer opened the door to Nirag chamber slowly The room was dark and only the flickering flame of a torch illuminated the bed placed in the corner Nirag was lying on the bed but his eyes were open They were staring straight at the ceiling The torch flame trembled with the gentle draft of air causing long shadows to dance on the walls
At the creak of the door Nirag turned his head Seeing Neer he immediately got off the bed in a fluid motion as if his muscles had found no rest There were lines of exhaustion on his face but a gleam of restlessness shone in his eyes
Pranam Pitashree Nirag voice carried the thickness of sleep but it was trembling
Neer stepped forward His blue robes shimmered in the torchlight Son how is your health now
A faint smile stretched on Nirag lips I am fine now Pitashree
Neer placed his hand on Nirag shoulder The touch was light but Nirag body felt a subtle tremor Neer felt that tremor His eyes narrowed
Son Neer voice flowed like a calm waterfall I know you are worried About your anger and your restlessness That is why I have thought of a remedy today
A spark of curiosity flashed in Nirag eyes What remedy Pitashree
A gentle smile spread on Neer lips We will perform the Blue Lotus ritual
Nirag brows furrowed Blue Lotus ritual What is this Pitashree
Neer took Nirag hand in his own His fingers were cold but the touch carried a maternal tenderness Son this is a remedy to stabilize your restlessness The Blue Lotus ritual Are you ready to perform this remedy son
Nirag nodded Yes
Just then a strong gust of wind entered through the window The curtains began to fly Neer released Nirag hand and moved to close the window
In that moment the third eye on Nirag forehead emerged again Like a black void Nirag smile distorted and the corners of his lips stretched upwards A cold shiver spread through the chamber with the gust of wind
Neer secured the curtains and turned back The third eye had disappeared Nirag face was normal again But a faint line of worry appeared in Neer eyes
Let us go then Nirag Neer said
Nirag nodded Yes Pitashree Let us go
Neer walked ahead and Nirag followed behind At the turn of the corridor Anvay was standing He watched Neer and Nirag leave There was a question in his eyes He began following them
At the edge of the pond the moonlight was dancing on the water Neer reached out his hand and plucked a blue lotus from the surface of the water The flower glowed in his palm like frozen sky Gentle ripples rose on the water surface but those ripples trembled like a restless mind
Son stand here Neer said
Nirag stood at the edge of the pond Neer placed the blue lotus in his hands
Now you must place one foot on the knee of your other leg
Nirag did as instructed His body was trying to balance on one foot
Now extend your hands forward
Nirag extended his hands Neer placed the blue lotus on his palms
Be careful This must not fall
Nirag nodded
Now close both your eyes
Nirag closed his eyes Darkness spread behind his eyelids
Now forget every question and every thought running inside you Empty your mind completely You must ensure that no thought enters your inner mind and the blue lotus placed in your hands must not fall
Nirag kept his eyes closed For a few moments everything was fine Then slowly voices began to enter his ears
The clash of swords Screams Flames of fire Anvay final scream Nirag It felt cut off in the air Anvay face was before him with pain in his eyes and blood flowing from his chest
Nirag hands trembled The blue lotus slipped from his palms and fell to the ground The petals scattered like a shattered dream
Nirag opened his eyes Neer was smiling at him
It is alright son Try again
Nirag picked up the blue lotus He placed one foot on the other again He closed his eyes He placed the flower on his palms
This time his leg began to tremble Anvay scream echoed in his mind again Louder Closer Nirag Why Anvay face distorted and his eyes turned black
Nirag opened his eyes
Try once more son
Just then Anvay arrived there What happened Pitashree What are you both doing here
Neer looked at Anvay This is the Blue Lotus ritual which purifies the mind by stopping its thoughts
Anvay smiled Then Pitashree can I also perform this ritual
Neer smiled Yes why not son
Nirag smiled as well Anvay placed one foot on the other He closed his eyes He placed the blue lotus on his palm
For some time both of them remained engaged in the ritual Anvay face was calm and his breaths were regular Nirag face was tense Sweat glistened on his forehead An hour passed Anvay opened his eyes and the blue lotus was still in his hands
Just then a voice echoed in Nirag ears
You will not be able to save him Neither yourself nor him His end is written by your hands
Sweat began pouring down Nirag head His eyes opened The blue lotus fell from his hands The petals scattered into the water and ripples rose
Neer was astonished to see this Anvay also opened his eyes and said What happened Nirag Why did you drop the blue lotus
Nirag looked at Anvay He just kept looking for a while Anvay eyes That smile Everything felt like a dream
Anvay said It is alright Nirag If you cannot stop the bad thoughts of your mind then remember some good memories Perhaps your mind will become calm
Anvay looked at Neer and asked Neer smiled and nodded
Nirag took the blue lotus in his hands again He placed one foot on the other and closed his eyes He began to think The days at the Tapobhumi when Anvay was with him Helping him without being asked Helping him control his thoughts and his element Anvay laughter Those playful clashes that had turned into friendship
But then the visions returned Anvay and Nirag had been performing the Blue Lotus ritual for an hour Then Nirag saw Anvay dying He saw his own face In his hands was the sword plunged into Anvay stomach and Anvay eyes were filled with tears He was writhing in pain Anvay scream cut off in the air as if a black shadow was swallowing him
Nirag panicked and lowered his foot He crushed the blue lotus in his palm The petals scattered from his fingers like blood He opened his eyes
Anvay went to Nirag and placed his hand on his shoulder It is alright Nirag You tried well
Nirag looked at Anvay Then he jerked Anvay hand off his shoulder and began walking away His steps were fast and his back was hunched
Neer saw this and said Stop Nirag
Nirag did not listen
Neer shouted Nirag Apologize to Anvay
Nirag did not listen and kept walking His shoulders were trembling
Anvay went to Neer Let him go Pitashree I did not feel bad
Neer placed his hand on Anvay shoulder and patted it Then he walked away
Anvay kept watching Nirag leave Though his words had said all that there was he looked at his own hands After watching for a moment he started towards his chamber A question echoed in his mind Nirag what are you hiding
Upstairs from the upper part of the palace Agni was watching all this His brows furrowed The torch flame danced on his face but his eyes were filled with deep worry
Was Neer worry right Has something truly happened to Nirag Or is he doing all this just out of anger
A spark of resolve flashed in Agni eyes
I must find out the truth Why Nirag is behaving like this
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